City comparison
No. Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 158 in Pittsburgh, and its violent crime index is 135 versus 147, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $1,528 in Glendale.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Pittsburgh and Glendale. Pittsburgh averages 51°F while Glendale averages 81°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,261 versus $1,528.
Glendale is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Pittsburgh makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Glendale is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Pittsburgh at $1,261 average has pockets that run $1,061 and others at $1,661: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Pittsburgh and Glendale are 1,828 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $1,528 a month in Glendale, up $267 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $73,530 in Glendale, up $7,788 (12%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 144 in Glendale, down 14 points (9%).
The move
Glendale and Pittsburgh are 1,828 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $267 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $7,788 (11%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 158 in Pittsburgh, up 14 points (10%).
Pittsburgh, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Glendale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Pittsburgh and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 17% cheaper than Glendale
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Glendale
$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $1,528 in Glendale, so Pittsburgh is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,204, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Pittsburgh still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Glendale.
Planning to buy in Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Glendale's median income is 12% higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Glendale
Winner$73,530
Median household income is $73,530 in Glendale versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Glendale (about $7,788 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Glendale is the stronger labor market on paper. Pittsburgh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
9% lower crime
Glendale's crime index is 9% lower than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
158 (100 = avg)
Glendale
Winner144 (100 = avg)
Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 158 in Pittsburgh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Glendale. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Glendale, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Pittsburgh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
59% more comfortable
Glendale weather is 59% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Glendale
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Glendale averages around 81°F. Glendale scores 59% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Pittsburgh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,261 a month. Choose Pittsburgh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 12% higher ($73,530), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 81°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Glendale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than Pittsburgh (144 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
On weather alone, Glendale is the warmer market (81°F) and Pittsburgh the cooler (51°F). Typical leases run $1,528 and $1,261; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Glendale still pays more locally ($73,530 median income vs $65,742), which can offset the lease if your field pays Glendale rates.
Median income is $73,530 in Glendale versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Glendale; Pittsburgh only makes sense when 51°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Pittsburgh and Glendale, plus other cities in PA and AZ.
